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Exhibit 12

Abbott Laboratories

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

(Unaudited)

(dollars in millions except ratios)

		Three Months Ended March 31, 2003
Net Earnings		$	801
Add (deduct):
	Taxes on earnings		253
	Minority interest		3
Net Earnings as adjusted		$	1,057
Fixed Charges:
	Interest on long-term and short-term debt		48
	Capitalized interest cost		2
	Rental expense representative of an interest factor		16
Total Fixed Charges			66
Total adjusted earnings available for payment of fixed charges		$	1,123
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges			17.0

NOTE: For the purpose of calculating this ratio, (i) earnings have been calculated by adjusting net earnings for taxes on earnings; interest expense; capitalized interest cost, net of amortization; minority interest; and the portion of rentals representative of the interest factor, (ii) Abbott considers one-third of rental expense to be the amount representing return on capital, and (iii) fixed charges comprise total interest expense, including capitalized interest and such portion of rentals.

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Exhibit 12